"So it seems," said Tom doggedly. "Now I think I've had warning enough. Suppose we drop the subject?"
"Not yet," said Hardy firmly. "There are only two endings to this sort of business, and you know it as well as I."
"A right and a wrong one--eh? And because I'm your friend, you assume that my end will be the wrong one?"
"I say the end must be the wrong one here! There's no right end. Think of your family. You dare not tell me that you will marry her!"
"I dare not tell you!" said Tom, starting up. "I dare tell any man anything I please!"
"I say again," went on Hardy, "you dare not say you mean to marry her! You don't mean it! And, as you don't, to kiss her in the passage as you did tonight----"
"So you were sneaking behind to watch me?" burst out Tom.
Hardy only answered calmly and slowly, "I will not take these words from any man! You had better leave my rooms!"
The next minute Tom was in the passage; the next striding up and down the side of the inner quadrangle in the peace of the pale moonlight.
The following day, and for many days, neither Hardy nor Tom spoke to one another. Both were wretched, and both feared lest others should notice the quarrel.